6 Signs You Have Sensitive Skin

More than just the irritation, there lies a number of factors that may tell that you have sensitive skin. 

Although a few small bumps on your skin may not urge you to hit the panic button, you might want to visit a dermatologist when the other tell-tale signs of sensitive skin have been ticked off.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, millions of people are suffering from hyperactive skin. While there is no clear-cut definition for the said physical discomfort affecting many, there are several common factors that may lead you to understand why the largest organ of your body is hurting. 

As our skin serves as armor against the environmental debris of the world, we should always yield to a diagnosis from a health expert especially when uncomfortable symptoms occur. Here are the 6 identifying signs that may help you understand if you have sensitive skin. 

1. YOUR SKIN IS REACTIVE 

Do you have newly-bought soap, detergent, cologne, or other skincare products that you have only used once and decided to discard them after experiencing itchiness and irritation? If yes, well, your skin might be sensitive.

A reactive skin tends to be more easily irritated by products made with harsh materials such as lotion, fragrances, and other synthetic-rich clothes. Environmental factors like sun, wind, and even cold may also affect reactive skin, giving room for flare-ups to happen.

2. YOU DEVELOP REDNESS

According to Forefront Dermatology, most people dealing with sensitive skin often encounter redness in their skin, face, and body. Whether by genetic predisposition, like having rosacea, or a reaction to certain ingredients, those with sensitive skin experience red rash, red bumps, blushing and flushing, or even red dilated blood vessels. These manifestations, however, will normally disappear after proper treatment. 

3. DRY SKIN OCCURS

If your skin is dry, tight, and peeling, you might be reacting to something you're allergic to. In most cases, factors like genetics, the environment, medications, aging, or general health conditions are the main causes of dry skin. 

To combat dry skin, moisturize daily with recommended skincare products from your dermatologist. Having overly dry skin doesn’t protect the nerve endings in the skin very well, so you might need to be wary of that to avoid further breakouts and cracked skin. 

4. SPOTS SOME RASHES 

Another thing that people should also be mindful of is the frequent rashes. When exposed to a trigger, sensitive skin reacts with red, flay, and tiny red bumps.

These rashes, most of the time, can be uncomfortable and bothersome, so always seek the advice of your doctor before using any kind of treatment. 

5. BREAKOUTS

According to an article, if your skin is sensitive, it may produce extra oils called sebum to compensate for the lack of moisture and help with the dryness. However, too much sebum can lead to oily skin, clogged pores, and acne breakouts with red bumps and pustules. 

To avoid complicating the problem, don't use harsh acne wash or cream to treat the breakouts as they will only worsen your symptoms. Try to wash your face with a gentle cleanser instead.

6. SUNBURN 

If stepping into the sun without applying proper sunscreen protection irritates your skin, you might have skin sensitivity. It's not a good idea to bask in the sun when you have sensitive skin as having one makes you're more vulnerable to the harmful effects of the rays. 

Ignoring the application of a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher when going out may cause a skin rash on your face, arms, and even chest. You don't want to look flushed in the summer, do you?

TAKEAWAY: Sensitive skin, characterized by various irritating symptoms like dryness, itching, and redness, is oftentimes a self-reported condition. The sensitivities of the skin are not well easily understood since every person has a different individual response to environments and other unwanted irritants. 

While the root cause of sensitivities is difficult to predict, it seems there’s really only one way to stave off unwanted reactions by consulting with the right doctor, managing your symptoms properly, and wearing the right organic and hypoallergenic clothes from our collections. 

DISCLAIMER: The information presented on Cottonique is not, and will never be, intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All content materials found on this site, from text, treatments, outcomes, charts, graphics, photographs, and study findings, are created and published for general informational purposes only. It should not, in any way, be construed as a standard of care to be followed by a user of the website. 

Thus, readers are encouraged to verify any information obtained from this website with other accurate references and review all information regarding any medical condition or treatment with their physician. As Cottonique strives to help those with allergies live with better days, the hypoallergenic apparel brand encourages everyone to always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.